Eisenhower JEFO 2024_43_Redacted.pdf

Control No: MICC 2024-43

JUSTIFICATION REVIEW DOCUMENT

FAR PART 16 EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY JUSTIFICATION

For Actions Exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT)

Program/Equipment: Cyber Center of Excellence (CCoE) Transformation Cell has a requirement to procure various brand name Audio-Visual (AV) system components as part of the Military Construction Project MCA-2 Information Technology infrastructure fit-out.

Authority: FAR 16.505(a)(4) – Restricting consideration to an item peculiar to one manufacturer (e.g., a particular brand-name, product, or a feature of a product that is peculiar to one manufacturer).

Amount:

Prepared by: DSN:

Date: 3 May 24

Contracting Officer: Ashley Scott DSN: 780-9208 Contracting Officer Date: 3 May 24 Email: ashley.t.scott3.civ@army.mil

Technical: DSN:

Requirements: DSN:

Reviews: I have reviewed this justification and find it adequate to support an exception to fair opportunity.

Program Manager:

DSN:

Date: See digital signature

Small Business Professional:

DSN:

Date: See digital signature

Legal Counsel:

DSN:

Date: See digital signature

Acting Director, MICC-Eisenhower:

DSN:

Date: See digital signature

Assistant Director, Small Business Program:

DSN:

Date: See digital signature

MICC Office of Counsel:

COM:

Date: See digital signature approved solution would result in significant delays to bring facilities online and have available for student training. The approved solution was specifically engineered to allow use of the Audio-Visual over Internet Protocol (AVoIP) contract which is being awarded by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to MILCORP. The approved solution was developed to work with numerous cyber security processes, utilize software on the software authorized products list, employ equipment on the security authorized products list compatible with existing deployed solutions, and take advantage of existing army enterprise agreements. A key component of this equipment was the approval to utilize AVoIP versus a traditional matrixed multi-classification AV system which resulted in over $1 million in savings. Additionally changes to the approved solution would result in requirements for new Security Controls Assessment Validations at an estimated cost of $500 thousand, the delay to a new $100 million facility which impacts the CCoE’s force generating requirement, an increased contract cost estimated at $2 million annually, and increased operational risk to multiple enterprises. The existing CCoE network uses similar equipment across the CCoE campus. Usage of the approved solution would allow for the use of existing army enterprise agreements thereby reducing long-term maintenance and sustainment costs.

b. Alternatives. Alternative solutions were examined at the start of this effort but due to the cyber security requirements of the current enterprise service providers, alternative solutions were unable to be approved for implementation.

c. Additional Supporting Information:

1) Failure to acquire above brand name items will result in a new facility valued at approximately $100 million being initially unusable for its intended training mission.

2) The Cyber Security findings, and authorized products list for some networks are classified but the appropriate examination of alternatives was conducted via meetings.

3) Long lead time items are already risking the current project timeline of providing a fully operational capable training facility by 26 October 2024.

d. Impact if justification not approved: If these specific items are not approved, the IT infrastructure for the MCA-2 facility will not be operational to absorb the CCoE student training requirements. Not procuring this MUE requirement disaggregates and desynchronizes the $1 billion Army effort and priority to transform and modernize the CCoE Campus, so it has the necessary capabilities to train and educate Cyber Soldiers to support Multi Domain Operations in Large Scale Combat Operations.

6. Actions to Increase Competition: This effort utilizes the Army’s mandatory source of supply and will be open to all eligible providers on the ITES-3H vehicle.

7. Market Research: Market research was performed within the CHESS program and multiple companies can provide these requirements. All eligible ITES-3H contract holders will be eligible to compete for this requirement. Multiple ITES-3H vendors have expressed verbal interest during the market research. Market research was performed by the requiring activity on January 8, 2024. The Contract Specialist at MICC – Fort Eisenhower reviewed and completed market research as well on April 2, 2024. Market research results revealed that the requirement could be fulfilled through the mandatory source CHESS. The Army CHESS program is a mandatory source program for the purchase of commercial off the shelf (COTS) software and IT equipment, and IT services, regardless of dollar value. This requirement will be competed under Army CHESS ITES-3H on an unrestricted basis through Army CHESS.

8. Other Facts: This acquisition will use the mandatory source of supply. There is no available procurement history for these items.